Training equipment

ABSTRACT

Training apparatus includes: a base stand which has slide shafts that are provided side by side and extend in the right-and-left directions; a slide base portion which can slide along this slide shaft; a foot stand which is provided over the slide base portion so as to be turned; a connection mechanism portion which is formed by a rod and its support portion that engages a substantially-middle proper part of the base stand in the right-and-left directions and the foot stand, so that the sliding position and the turning angle of the foot stand can be correlated; and a spring which gives the slide base portion the force by which the slide base portion moves toward a substantially-middle position of the base stand in the right-and-left directions. Thereby, a sliding exercise and a twisting exercise can be taken together, and the body trunk can be effectively trained.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS

This application is a 371 of PCT/JP03/11331 filed on Sep. 5, 2003.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to training apparatus in which a slidingexercise and a twisting exercise can be taken at the same time.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, there is known training apparatus in which a slidingexercise or a twisting exercise can be taken. Such equipment, as shownin FIG. 14A, B, an arch-shaped track 402 is provided in a base 401, andtwo concentric-circle paths 403, 404 are formed on this track 402. Then,movable stands 405, 406 are provided along the concentric-circle paths403, 404, so that they can move. To these movable stands 405, 406, ashoe (or foot stand) 407 as the foot stand is attached within thehorizontal surface of each movable stand, respectively, so that they canturn. A player can do training, such as skiing, by stepping on the shoes(or foot stands) 407 (i.e., putting his right and left feet thereon) andmoving the movable stands 405, 406 along the concentric-circle paths403, 404 so that he can take a sliding exercise, or by turning the shoes(or foot stands) 407 so that he can take a twisting exercise.

In addition, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 15, there is knownequipment in which a first frame 503 which has a cut opening 502 that islong sideways is fixed on a slippery stand 501, a circular second frame504 which can be turned is provided inside of the opening 502 of thisfirst frame 503, and two circular turn tables 505 which can be turnedare provided inside of second frame 504. A player can do training, suchas skiing, by putting both his feet on the turn tables 505, and taking asliding exercise in the right-and-left directions or taking a twistingexercise.

In your daily life or sports scene, you very often have the opportunityof moving your body in an unstable position (or posture). When you tryto balance your body in such an unstable state, you frequently have toexert strength not only in your limbs (or arms and legs), but also inyour trunk such as abdominal muscle and back muscle. Therefore, when youtrain yourself, it is important to simultaneously train your limbs aswell as your trunk.

However, in the above described prior art, the right and left footstands are separately moved and turned. Hence, a sliding exercise or atwisting exercise is broken up with each foot.

Furthermore, as conventional equipment, there is known equipment inwhich right and left foot stands are linked and moved together. However,in this equipment, when you take a sliding exercise or a twistingexercise, you have to make a stamping motion, or make the motion ofmoving both your feet up and down. Therefore, you tend to lose your bodybalance and to focus too much on the exercise of exerting strength inyour lower limbs (or legs). As a result, there is a disadvantage in thatyou cannot train your body trunk effectively.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide training apparatusin which you can take a sliding exercise and a twisting exercisetogether without making a stamping motion or another such motion, andtrain your body trunk effectively.

In order to attain the above described object, training apparatusaccording to the present invention includes: a base stand which isprovided with a guide rail that extends in the right-and-leftdirections; a slide base portion which can slide along the guide rail; afoot stand which is provided over the slide base portion so as to beturned; a connection means which engages the base with the foot stand ata substantially-middle suitable place of the base stand in theright-and-left directions, so that the sliding position of the footstand can be related to the turning angle thereof; and a force givingmeans which gives the slide base portion the force by which the slidebase portion moves toward a substantially-middle position of the basestand in the right-and-left directions.

According to the above described configuration, when the slide baseportion is slid in the right-and-left directions along the guide rail,the foot stand over the slide base portion turns, by the providedconnection means, at an angle which corresponds to the distance by whichit has been slid to the slide base portion. In other words, when theslide base portion makes a sliding motion, the foot stand makes asliding motion in the direction where it has been slid. In addition, byproviding the force giving means for generating restoring force, thefoot stand which has slid in the right-and-left directions returnsautomatically to the neutral position of the middle part in thelongitudinal directions of the guide rail, and a proper load which ispreferred for training is produced when it is slid in the right-and-leftdirections. A player can take a sliding exercise and a twisting exerciseat the same time, without losing his body balance in a state of keepingboth his feet on the foot stand. This allows you to train your bodytrunk effectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of training apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention, showing its external appearance.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the training apparatus of FIG. 1 whosecovers are removed, seen from the back, showing its structure.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the training apparatus of FIG. 1 whosecovers are removed, seen from the front, showing its structure.

FIG. 3A is a top plan view of the training apparatus of FIG. 2 whosefoot-stand portion is not slid.

FIG. 3B is a top plan view of the training apparatus of FIG. 2 whosefoot-stand portion is kept slid.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a base stand and a slide base portion, showingtheir connection structure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the foot-stand portion and a connectionmechanism portion, seen from the bottom, showing their connectionstructure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the training apparatus and a player,seen from the back, showing an example of a training motion.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram, showing a control system which executes atraining guide in the training apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart, showing a display processing to a monitor.

FIG. 9A is a representation, showing an age input image on apersonal-information input image which is displayed on a monitor screen.

FIG. 9B is a representation, showing a body-weight input image on thepersonal-information input image which is displayed on the monitorscreen.

FIG. 10A is a representation, showing a training-menu selection image ona training-content selection image.

FIG. 10B is a representation, showing a course selection image on thetraining-content selection image.

FIG. 11 is a representation, showing an example of a lesson image in thecase where a lesson mode has been selected.

FIG. 12 is a representation, showing an example of a dance image in thecase where a dance mode has been selected.

FIG. 13 is a schematic top view of a variation of the trainingapparatus, showing its configuration.

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of conventional training apparatus.

FIG. 14B is a plan view of the conventional training apparatus.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of other conventional training apparatus.

BEST MODE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of training apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention, showing its external appearance.FIG. 2 shows the structure of the training apparatus of FIG. 1 whosecovers are removed. FIG. 2A is its perspective view, seen from the back,and FIG. 2B is its perspective view, seen from the front. FIG. 3 is aplan view of FIG. 2. FIG. 3A shows a state in which a foot-stand portionis not slid, and FIG. 3B shows a state in which the foot-stand portionis kept slid.

As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, this training apparatus 1 includes: a basestand 10; a slide base portion 20; a foot-stand portion 30 (or the footstand); a connection mechanism portion 40 (or the connection means); aforce giving portion 50 (or the force giving means); and in addition, ahandrail portion 60; a guide portion 70; a controller 80.

In FIG. 1, this training apparatus 1 includes the slide base portion 20which can be slid right and left with respect to the base stand 10, andthe foot-stand portion 30 which can be turned over this slide baseportion 20. It is configured so that a player gets on this foot-standportion 30 and can freely move his body's lower half right and left. Thehandrail portion 60 helps a training player easily exercise by holdingthis handrail portion 60. The guide portion 70 offers a player an imageor the like for a training guide as a conductor. The controller 80 isconfigured so that a player can operate it, and is used to input theselection of a training mode or other required contents.

Sequentially, a detailed structure of the training apparatus 1 will bedescribed using FIG. 2 to FIG. 5. Herein, FIG. 4 is a side view of thebase stand 10 and the slide base portion 20, showing their connectionstructure. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the foot-stand portion 30 andthe connection mechanism portion 40, seen from the bottom, showing theirconnection structure.

The base stand 10 includes: a pair of right and left outer frames 11;two bridging beams 12 which connect the right and left outer frames 11;a middle beam 13 in the middle position in the right-and-left directionswhich reinforces the bridging beams 12; two parallel slide shafts (i.e.,the guide rails) 14 which stretch between the right and left outerframes 11; and a stopper 15 which protrudes inward from each outer frame11.

The base stand 10 has, as its basic structure, a quadrilateral frameworkwhich is formed by the pair of long right and left outer frames 11 andthe front and rear bridging beams 12. The slide shaft 14 is a rod-shapedbody (i.e., according to this embodiment, a pole whose sectional shapeis circular) which has a required length and a predetermined-shapesection. It is attached at both its ends to the right and left outerframes 11, and the slide shafts 14 are placed side by side apredetermined distance apart from each other in the right-and-leftdirections of the outer frames 11. The slide shaft 14 functions as arail (or stay) which guides the slide base portion 20 so that it can beslid. The stopper 15 is made of elastic material such as rubber and isplaced to protrude. It is used to lighten an impact which is applied atthe time when the slide base portion 20 has bumped against the outerframes 11 if the slide base portion 20 slides in the right-and-leftdirections.

The slide base portion 20 is a quadrilateral plate-shaped body which ismade of a rigid and durable metal or the like. It has a side wall whichis formed by bending each end side of the slide base portion 20 downwardby a required dimension. To the front and rear side walls of these sidewalls, two pairs of rollers which are each made up of an upper roller 21and a lower roller 22 are each attached in the right-and-leftdirections. As shown in FIG. 4, the upper roller 21 and the lower roller22 have concave surfaces 211, 221, respectively, whose circumferentialsurfaces each correspond to the curvature of the slide guide 14. Theyare each in contact, over the whole circumferential surface, with theslide guide 14. Thereby, the upper roller 21 and the lower roller 22certainly hold the slide guide 14 at least in the up-and-downdirections.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper roller 21 is supported, viaits shaft, to a side wall 201 of the slide base portion 20, around thehorizontal axis which is shown by a chain line. On the other hand, thesupport shaft of the lower roller 22 is supported to the side wall 201so that it is directed downward at an angle less than 45 degrees to thehorizontal direction, or in an inclined direction. Herein, the lowerrollers 22 which are provided in the front and rear side walls 201 areinclined in the directions opposite to each other. In other words, thefront and rear lower rollers 22 forms a V-letter shape whose middle partis separated. Thereby, the slide base portion 20 is effectivelyprevented from being released from the slide guide 14. Besides, thewidth in the up-and-down directions (i.e., the width in the heightdirections) of the side wall 201 in the slide base portion 20 becomesshorter than the width thereof in the up-and-down directions in the casewhere the lower roller 22 is horizontally supported (i.e., the lowerroller 22 is supported via its horizontal shaft). Therefore, the slidebase portion 20 becomes compact in the up-and-down directions, thefoot-stand portion 30 which is placed over the slide base portion 20 isbrought to a lower position, thereby a player can make a playing motionin as low a position as possible, and in addition, he can easily get onand off a playing position (i.e., the foot-stand portion 30).

Herein, the number of pairs of rollers which are each made up of theupper roller 21 and the lower roller 22 may also be, instead of two,three for the single slide guide 14. In short, a predetermined number ofpairs of rollers may also be used, as long as the posture and stablesliding of the slide base portion 20 can be secured. In addition, asdescribed above, the lower roller 22 may also be supported via itshorizontal shaft.

The foot-stand portion 30 is a plate-shaped body which is substantiallyquadrilateral in top view, and has something like a tray on its uppersurface. Besides, as shown in FIG. 5, a cylindrical body 31 protrudes inthe center of the bottom surface of the foot-stand portion 30. On theother hand, in the center of the upper surface of the slide base portion20, a columnar body 23 protrudes which has a diametrical dimension atwhich it fits into the cylindrical body 31 so as to be movable. Thecolumnar body 23 is inserted into the cylindrical body 31, and thereby,the foot-stand portion 30 is supported to the slide base portion 20 sothat it can turn. Herein, preferably, the cylindrical body 31 should bea bearing, so that the foot-stand portion 30 can be smoothly turned.

The connection mechanism portion 40 is the part which engages asubstantially-middle suitable part of the base stand 10 in theright-and-left directions and the foot-stand portion 30. It isconfigured by a rod 41 as the swaying arm and a swaying-arm supportportion 42. The rod 41 is a pole-shaped body which has a predeterminedlength and a circular section. It is connected, at one of its ends(i.e., at its base end), to the periphery of the cylindrical body 31.The swaying-arm support portion 42 is put in the middle position of thebridging beam 12 in the right-and-left directions. It is configured by:a horizontal base 421 which protrudes ahead of the bridging beam 12; asupport 422 which stands on the horizontal base 421; a turning member423 which is provided in the support 422 so as to turn freely; and aroller 424 which is supported by each of a plurality of upright shaftsthat are placed on the turning member 423.

The roller 424 is made up of two pairs of rollers in all. Such a pair ofrollers is placed a predetermined distance, or the diameter of the rod41, apart from each other in the right-and-left directions. The twopairs of rollers are placed close to the front and rear around theturning shaft of the turning member 421. The roller 424 supports the rod41 such that these two pairs of rollers in total hold the rod 41 betweeneach pair of rollers. In this embodiment, the roller 424 has, at itscircumferential surface, a concave surface whose curvature is the sameas that of the rod 41. Thereby, it comes into contact, at its entirecircumferential surface, with the rod 41. According to thisconfiguration, when the foot-stand portion 30 (i.e., the slide baseportion 20) slides in the right-and-left directions, the rod 41 turnsaround the turning shaft of the turning member 423. In addition, thedistance between the columnar body 23 of the foot-stand portion 30 andthe turning member 423 changes when the foot-stand portion 30 slides inthe right-and-left directions. This change in the distance between thecolumnar body 23 of the foot-stand portion 30 and the turning member 423is absorbed, on the tip-end side of the rod 41, by its rubbing accordingto the change in the distance, in a state where the rod 41 is held, asdescribed above, by the pairs of rollers which are made up of theseveral rollers 424. Thereby, the foot-stand portion 30 can be slid inthe right-and-left directions.

The force giving portion 50 is an elastic body such as a spring. One endof the force giving portion 50 is hooked, by means of hooking fittings(not shown), on the front part of the slide base portion 20, and theother end is hooked, by means of hooking fittings (not shown), on therear part of the middle beam 13. Thereby, the force giving portion 50 isstretched between the slide base portion 20 and the base stand 10.Herein, in this embodiment, the force giving portion 50 is configured byproviding two springs 51, 52 side by side. However, their number mayalso be one, or three. The force giving portion 50 functions so as togive, in an opened state, the force by which the slide base portion 20returns to the middle position in the right-and-left directions. Inother words, it works so as to give a predetermined load to a player atthe time when he has slid in the right-and-left directions.

Herein, in FIG. 3, the force giving portion 50 is hooked in a positionclose to the slide shaft 14 on the back side. However, it may also behooked in any positions, as long as the foot-stand portion 30 can beforced toward the middle part. For example, it may also be hooked in aposition close to the slide shaft 14 on the front side.

The handrail portion 60 is formed by a rod-shaped body, such as a pipe,which has a diameter at which a player can grasp it. It rises uprightfrom the rear part of the right and left outer frames 11, is bent in theheight position of a player's elbows, and has a horizontal portion whichspans the right and the left. The right and left upright parts are eachconnected to a reinforcement pipe which rises upright from the frontpart of the outer frames 11.

The guide portion 70, as shown in FIG. 1, includes: a tall main-bodyportion 71; a monitor 72 which is placed at the upper part of themain-body portion 71 and displays a predetermined image, for example, animage for training; and a speaker 73; as well as a sensor 74 such as aninfrared sensor which is provided in the middle position in the heightdirections and detects remotely the right-and-left position of thefoot-stand portion 30 (i.e., the slide base portion 20). In addition,the guide portion 70 includes a receiving portion 75 which receives acommand signal from the controller 80 (described later).

The controller 80 is used to input predetermined information, such aspersonal information and operation instructions. It is attached in apredetermined position, for example, in a substantially middle positionof the handrail portion 60. The controller 80 includes: a ten-key unit81 which is provided with buttons for inputting a predetermined word(e.g., “START”), a numeral, or the like; a receiving portion 82 forreceiving a predetermined signal from a transmitter or the like; and atransmission portion 83 which transmits a predetermined instructionsignal or the like to the receiving portion 75 of the guide portion 70.

Herein, if a player brings, close to the receiving portion 82, forexample, a ring (not shown) with a transponder TP (or a transmitter;refer to FIG. 7) which is put on his arm or the like (or if he puts thering over the receiving portion 82), then it receives a signal which istransmitted from the transponder TP. In addition, the receiving portion75 and the transmission portion 83 may also be linked, either by wire orby radio.

With respect to the above described configuration, next, an operation ofthe training apparatus 1 will be described. If the foot-stand portion 30is moved, from the middle position in its neutral state, in theright-and-left directions, for example, leftward (i.e., in the directionof an arrow A) so that its state shifts from the state shown in FIG. 3Ato the state shown in FIG. 3B, then the slide base portion 20 movesleftward along the slide shaft 14. At this time, the base-end side ofthe rod 41 is fixed to the foot-stand portion 30. On the other hand, byusing the roller 424, the other-end side of the rod 41 is the fulcrum ofits turning, and it can be rubbed and moved. Therefore, the rod 41 isswayed around the center of the roller 424, in other words, around theturning axis of the turning member 423. In this case, the foot-standportion 30 turns by the angle which corresponds to the distance by whichthe rod 41 sways. Specifically, the swaying distance of the rod 41corresponds to the distance by which the foot-stand portion 30 slides.Thereby, the foot-stand portion 30 turns so that the distance by whichit moves in the right-and-left directions from its middle positioncorresponds to the turning angle of the foot-stand portion 30.

As described above, as the slide base portion 20 is slid, the foot-standportion 30 turns. Thereby, a player on the foot-stand portion 30 cantwist his body while sliding. In other words, as can be seen in anexample of a training motion shown in FIG. 6, a player P can make atwisting motion, together with a sliding motion. These motions can giveexercise to every part of the body, which has been impossible inconventional training apparatus where only a part of the body, such asthe leg, can be trained. Furthermore, in the training apparatusaccording to the present invention, using a sliding motion and atwisting motion, you can take exercise in a state where you keep yourbody's balance (or posture) properly lost (i.e., without losing thebalance of your whole body largely). Thereby, you can effectively trainnot only your body's lower half (i.e., lower limbs) which centers onyour legs and waist, but also your body trunk.

Moreover, when a player returns to the middle position from the statewhere he has slid, using the force applied by the force giving portion50, he can easily make the motion continuously. In addition, thehandrail portion 60 is provided, so that you can make, as a naturalcontinuous movement (i.e., smooth movement), the movement of keepingbalance during a sliding motion and a twisting motion, or the movementof increasing and reducing the sliding speed by controlling the turningangle of the foot-stand portion 30.

Besides, the forwarder you put your feet on the foot-stand portion 30,the greater force you need to apply, to push the slide base portion 20(i.e., the foot-stand portion 30) in the lateral (i.e., right-and-left)directions when you want to slide it, and to turn (i.e., twist) thefoot-stand portion 30. In contrast, the more backward you put your feeton the foot-stand portion 30, the smaller force is required to push itlaterally and turn it. In other words, if you stand on the front part ofthe foot-stand portion 30, the training load becomes heavy, while if youstand on its rear part, the training load becomes light. Accordingly, inthis training apparatus 1, the level of an exercise load which issuitable for an individual can be set, despite its simple structurewhere no load mechanism is provided by means of a brake, a weight, orthe like.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram, showing a control system which executes atraining guide in the training apparatus 1. A control section 100includes a CPU for executing overall control of this training apparatus1. To the control section 100, there are connected: an ROM 101 in whicha training control program is stored; an RAM 102 which temporarilystores data whose processing is halfway; and a data storage section 103which stores image data that is displayed in the monitor 72 and audiodata that is sent to the speaker 73.

The control section 100 includes: an image generation section 1001; anaudio control section 1002; a timer 1003; a detection-signal processingsection 1004; an arithmetic section 1005; and a communication controlsection 1006. The image generation section 1001 displays, in the monitor72, images for the registration of a player, the selection of a trainingmode, and a training guide. The audio control section 1002 sends, to thespeaker 73, the sound of background music during an exercise, forexample, the sound of a rhythm or the like. The timer 1003 conducts aclocking operation. The detection-signal processing section 1004generates detection information on the slide base portion 20 or theplayer P, based on a detection signal from the sensor 74.

The arithmetic section 1005 is a part which calculates trainingconditions of the player P, based on information from the timer 1003 andthe detection-signal processing section 1004, personal information whichis inputted from the controller 80, and the like. For example, basedupon information on the number of reciprocating motions from thedetection-signal processing section 1004, information on a motion speedfrom the clocking information of the timer 1003, or the personalinformation of the player P, such as his gender and age, which istransmitted from the transponder TP and is inputted in the controller71, it calculates the timing of a sliding motion or the operation timingof the foot-stand portion 30, calories which have been consumed in atraining, or the like.

The communication control section 1006 communicates with a datamanagement section 90 which is provided in a predetermined position(e.g., in a management room or within a server through a networkcircuit) outside of the training apparatus 1. The data managementsection 90 manages data on personal information, such as anidentification number (i.e., a membership number) among a plurality ofpeople, for example, in a training membership, and a training record.Based on information which is obtained in the control section 100 and istransmitted from the communication control section 1006, itauthenticates an individual, and if necessary, sends a reply.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart, showing a display processing to the monitor 72.At the ordinary time, in the monitor 72, there is displayed a series ofimages which is displayed at the time of a training as a demonstration(or peripheral demo) image (in a step ST1). Even while thisdemonstration image is being displayed, an instruction to prompttraining, such as “Press the start button”, remains on display in a partof the screen of the monitor 72. Then, if the player P gets on thefoot-stand portion 30 and presses a “START” key of the controller 80according to this instruction to “Press the start button” (YES at a stepST3), then the image is switched from the standby image to anelectronic-key input image which displays a message that “if you have anelectronic key, bring it over the ten key”, or the like (in a step ST5).Unless the “START” key is pressed (NO at the step ST3), the image of thestandby state is kept displayed.

Herein, in the case where the player P has an electronic key (YES at astep ST7), if the player P puts, over the receiving portion 82, theelectronic key such as a ring with the transponder TP, then his personalinformation from the transponder TP is taken into the control section100. Then, based on this taken-in personal information, the controlsection 100 communicates, via the communication control section 1006,with the data management section 90, and authenticates the player P(i.e., confirms the electronic key) (in a step ST9).

Herein, an electronic key can be inputted only in the timing when such amessage as described above has been displayed, such as “if you have anelectronic key, bring it over the ten key.” Afterward, such an inputwill not be accepted, even if you places the electronic key, forexample, by mistake, over the controller 71 while being exercising.

In the case where the player P does not have any electronic key (NO atthe step ST7), a personal-data input image is displayed in the monitor72. According to the guide of this image, the player P inputs hispersonal information, using the ten-key unit 81 of the controller 80 (ina step ST11). At this time, in the same way as the case where anelectronic key is used, the control section 100 communicates, via thecommunication control section 1006, with the data management section 90,and authenticates the player P (i.e., confirms the electronic key) (in astep ST13).

Herein, FIG. 9 shows a personal-information (or personal-data) inputimages which are displayed on a monitor screen 721. When personalinformation is inputted using the ten-key unit 81 of the controller 80,a message is displayed, for example, “Input your age”, as shown by anage input image in FIG. 9A, “Input your weight”, as shown by abody-weight input image in FIG. 9B, or the like. According to such aguide, the player P inputs his personal information, such as his gender,age and weight, one after another. Then, the player P confirms thecontents of the personal information which he has inputted. If he wantsto correct the contents (NO at the step ST13), the processing returns tothe step ST11 and he inputs it again. If he confirms that the contentsof the personal information are correct (YES at the step ST13), theprocessing goes ahead to the next step ST15.

FIG. 10 shows a training-content selection images. As described above,if the individual has been authenticated based on the personalinformation which was inputted using the electronic key or the ten key,then, for example, as shown FIG. 10A, a training-menu selection imagewhich shows a message, such as “Select a training mode,” is displayed onthe monitor screen 721 (in a step ST15). Using the training-menuselection image, you can select, for example, a lesson mode (No. 1) inwhich you can train at your own pace, or a dance mode (No.2) in whichyou can exercise in tune with a rhythm (or rhythmic music) or the likefrom the speaker 73.

If you select the training mode of No. 1 or No. 2 (in a step ST17, astep ST25), for example, as shown FIG. 10B, a course selection imagewhich shows a message, such as “Select a course,” is displayed on themonitor screen 721. In this course selection image, selection coursesare displayed, for example, beginning (No. 1), medium (No. 2), andexpert (No. 3). Thereby, you can select your favorite course (a lessonmenu in each mode) among those. Next, the player P confirms the contentswhich he has inputted (or selected). If he wants to correct the contents(NO at a step ST19, NO at a step ST27), the processing returns to thestep ST15. If he confirms that the contents are correct (YES at the stepST19, YES at the step ST27), the training apparatus 1 starts a trainingoperation (in a step ST21, a step ST29).

Herein, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show each training-mode image which isdisplayed on the monitor screen 721 during a training operation. FIG. 11shows an example of a lesson image in the case where a lesson mode hasbeen selected. There are several types of lessons according to how yougrasp the handrail portion 60 while training (e.g., a training which youdo with gripping on it in only one hand, or a training which you do withholding onto it in your hands while narrowing the distance between yourarms), or the like. Those lessons are called mini-lessons. In the lowerpart of the lesson image, there are displayed mini-lesson symbolcharacters which each express a typical training posture (or pose) sothat you can distinguish between the mini-lessons. At and near thecentral part of the lesson image, there is displayed a movie (i.e., amotion confirmation movie) for confirming the motion of a mini-lessonwhich is made at present. In other words, near the central part of thelesson image, mini-lesson symbol characters are displayed together withthe motion which corresponds to each mini-lesson.

On the left side of this motion-confirmation movie display portion,there is displayed the name (i.e., the name of a posture) of amini-lesson which is currently made. Besides, on the left side of theimage, a movie (i.e., a next-motion confirmation mini-movie) isdisplayed for confirming the motion of the next lesson. In the middlepart (i.e., a portion which displays the number of times) of the image,there is displayed the number of times (i.e., the current number oftimes/the set number of times) up to which you have repeated eachmini-lesson. In the upper part of the image, a message is displayed oneafter another which shows a training motion, such as “Next, bend bothyour knees.” In addition, the right part of the image, a muscle part onwhich you should concentrate your attention while training, or the like,is displayed so that you can discern it. For example, the illustrationof a human body (i.e., the illustration of human-body muscles) isdisplayed by expressing such a part with a different color. Besides, thetop part of the image, there are displayed the repetition number oftimes which is counted from the time when a training started, consumedcalories (kcal), the time which has elapsed since the training's start,and the like.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a dance image in the case where the abovedescribed dance mode has been selected. The image on the monitor screen721 shown in FIG. 12 has the same configuration as that of the image onthe monitor screen 721 shown in FIG. 11. Hence, an image similar to theabove described lesson mode is displayed. Herein, such a human-bodyillustration or number-of-times display portion as described above isnot displayed, however, those may also be displayed. In this dance mode(i.e., the dance image), a mini-lesson makes progress along with a tune(or rhythmic music). Thus, in order to make you recognize a shift toeach mini-lesson image in the above described motion confirmation movie,for example, the count of “3, 2, 1, 0”, or the like, may also bedisplayed largely and conspicuously in the image of this motionconfirmation movie.

After the player P has completed the whole training (i.e.,mini-lessons)according to the contents of instructions in each training-mode image ofFIG. 11 and FIG. 12, or if he wants to call off the training, he pressesan ending button which is provided in the controller 80, a ring with thetransponder TP that is fitted into his arm, or the like. Thereby, atermination signal is transmitted to the control section 100 (in a stepST23, a step ST31). The control section 100 which has received thistermination signal allows the image generation section 1001, the audiocontrol section 1002, or the arithmetic section 1005, to execute theoperation of terminating the training, such as so-called cooling-downand the display of results (in a step ST33). Specifically, the controlsection 100 allows the image generation section 1001 to display amessage, such as “The training will end,” on the monitor screen 721.Thereafter, it allows it to display an instruction to make a naturallateral motion which gives the lightest load, for example, a message,such as “Stand backward on the foot-stand portion 30 and slide slowly.”Besides, it allows the audio control section 1002 to execute antermination operation, such as gradually slowing down the tempo of arhythm which is produced by the speaker 73. This termination operationis aimed at lightening the burden imposed on the player P's body when hestops exercising in no time.

In addition, during this termination operation, the control section 100directs the arithmetic section 1005 to put together and calculate thetraining results. For example, as described above, based on informationfrom the timer 1003 or the detection-signal processing section 1004, thearithmetic section 1005 the number of times up to which a sliding motion(or a twisting motion) was repeated, the time which elapsed (or wastaken) from the beginning to the end of the training, the number oftimes up to which the operation timing coincided, total consumedcalories, and the like. Then, their results are displayed on the monitorscreen 721.

Herein, at the time of the training (i.e., mini-lesson) before thetermination operation is executed (in the step ST21, the step ST29), thecontrol section 100 displays and controls, in the same way, therepetition number of times (i.e., the current number of times/the setnumber of times), the consumed calories, the time which elapsed from thebeginning of the training, and the like, which are shown in each modeimage of FIGS. 11, 12.

As described above, the training apparatus 1 is configured so that atraining menu, such as a mode and a course, can be selected, and theresults of a training can be displayed in the monitor 72. Therefore, theplayer P can clarify the goal of a training, and at the same time,deepens his understanding of how to exercise (i.e., how to use thetraining apparatus 1), or how to train effectively. In addition, usingthe contents which are displayed in the monitor 72, specifically, usingnot only the above described training displays, but also, for example,the display of an amusement image, such as a game and a television,other than the training displays, the player P can enjoy himself at thetraining time which tends to be monotonous and tedious.

FIG. 13 is a schematic top view of a variation of the trainingapparatus, showing its configuration. A configuration portion 1′according to this variation includes: a base stand 10′; a slide baseportion 20′; a foot-stand portion 30′; and a connection portion 40′. Thebase stand 10′ is a plate-shaped body which extends right and left andhas a required width and a required thickness. The base stand 10′ has,on its inside, a long hole 11′ which has a required width and extends inits longitudinal directions. The slide base portion 20′ is a columnarbody and has a diameter which corresponds to the width of the long hole11′. It is fitted into this long hole 11′ so as to be movable. To thetop surface of the columnar body 20′, the foot-stand portion 30′ whichhas a predetermined shape, for example, a disk shape, is attached so asto have the same turning center as that of the columnar body 20′. Theslide base portion 20′ and the foot-stand portion 30′ may have astructure in which they can turn together, and they may also have astructure in which they can turn relatively.

At a proper place in the side part of the foot-stand portion 30′, an arm41′ is provided which extends radially from the center of the foot-standportion 30′ and has a required width. Ahead of the middle of the basestand 10′, a columnar swaying shaft 42′ is provided which has a requireddiameter. The arm 41′ has, on its inside, a long hole 411′ which, overits longitudinal directions, has a width which corresponds to theswaying shaft 42′. The swaying shaft 42′ is fitted into this long hole411′. Herein, a force giving portion may be hooked on and stretchedbetween the base stand 10′ and the slide base portion 20′, in the sameway as the above described embodiment. Even according to thisconfiguration, a sliding motion and a twisting motion can be madetogether.

The training apparatus 1 according to the present invention ischaracterized by including the following component elements: a basestand which has a guide rail that extends in the right-and-leftdirections; a slide base portion which can slide along the guide rail; afoot stand which is provided over the slide base portion so as to beturned; a connection means which engages a substantially-middle properpart of the base stand in the right-and-left directions and the footstand, so that the sliding position and the turning angle of the footstand can be related; and a force giving means which gives the slidebase portion the force by which the slide base portion moves toward asubstantially-middle position of the base stand in the right-and-leftdirections.

In the above described training apparatus 1, preferably, the connectionmeans should have: a swaying arm one end of which is connected to thefoot stand; and a swaying-arm support portion which is provided in thebase stand and supports the side of the other end of this swaying arm sothat the other-end side can turn and rub freely. According to thisconfiguration, using the swaying arm as the arm for a swaying motion andthe swaying-arm support portion as the turning center (or shaft), aturning motion of the foot stand can be made together with a slidingmotion.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the swaying arm be formed by arod-shaped body, and the swaying-arm support portion have a pair ofrollers which holds the rod-shaped body between the rollers. Accordingto this configuration, the swaying arm can have a simple structure.Besides, the swaying arm has a swaying center in the position where itis held between the pair of rollers, and it rubs and moves. Thereby, itsswaying motion can be realized.

Moreover, it is preferable that as the guide rail, two guide rails beprovided side by side, and the slide base portion hold, at both endsthereof in the front-and-rear directions, each guide rail. According tothis configuration, the slide base portion can slide stably.

In addition, it is preferable that the slide base portion have a pair ofrollers which holds the guide rail between the rollers in theup-and-down directions. According to this configuration, the slide baseportion can be prevented from coming off the guide rail.

Furthermore, it is preferable that among the pair of rollers which holdsthe guide rail between the rollers in the up-and-down directions, theaxis of the upper roller be horizontal, and the axis of the lower rollerbe inclined. According to this configuration, the lower roller issupported via its shaft to the slide base portion, in a higher positionthan in the case where it has a horizontal shaft. Therefore, the slidebase portion's height dimension can be shortened. Thus, it makes itpossible to make the slide base portion compact.

Moreover, it is preferable that the force giving means be a spring whichis stretched between the slide base portion and the base stand.According to this configuration, the force giving means becomes a simplestructure.

In addition, it is preferable that the base stand have a handrailportion. According to this,configuration, a player can easily start toslide by gripping the handrail portion and thereby keeping both his feeton the foot stand. Besides, a player can easily balance his body whilemaking a sliding motion and a turning motion simultaneously.

Furthermore, the above described training apparatus may further includea monitor which displays an image for a training guide. According tothis configuration, using a monitor screen, the training apparatus canoffer a player an image for a training guide.

Moreover, the above described training apparatus may further include acontroller which gives an instruction to switch the training-guide imagethat is displayed in the monitor. According to this configuration, usingthe controller, the training apparatus can offer a desirable trainingguide to a player.

In addition, it is preferable that the controller be disposed in thehandrail portion. According to this configuration, a player can operatethe controller in a state where he is on the foot stand.

Herein, the present invention can use the following variations.

(1) The foot-stand portion 30 may also have, in addition to aquadrilateral shape, a circular shape, or a polygonal shape other than aquadrilateral shape. Therefore, for example, the foot-stand portion 30may also be modeled on a surfboard, a snowboard, or a pair of skis.

(2) The slide shaft 14 and the rod 41 is not necessarily shaped like astraight line. They may also have a bent part, over a part of them, orover their whole part. In addition, the slide shaft 14 and the rod 41should not necessarily have a circular section. They may also have anelliptical (or eccentric circular) section, or a polygonal, such asrectangular and a square. Besides, the rod 41 and the cylindrical body31 may also be united. In that case, the peripheral surfaces of theupper roller 21, the lower roller 22 and the roller 424 are each formedto have a shape in which they can come into contact over their entiresurfaces as much as possible.

(3) The roller 424 is not necessarily provided on the plane where theslide base portion 20 slides. It may also be located above thefoot-stand portion 30. For example, the rod 41 may also be placed upwardin the vertical directions to the horizontal plane of the slide baseportion 20 (or the foot-stand portion 30). In that case, it makes aswaying motion within the vertical plane, and thus, the dimension in thefront-and-rear directions becomes shorter.

(4) The sensor 74 is not necessarily provided in the guide portion 70.It may also be provided, for example, at a proper place of the handrailportion 60, or in the controller 80. In addition, in order to count thenumber of times up to which a sliding motion has been repeated, forexample, a position sensor which is formed by a proximity sensor or amechanical switch may also be provided at suitable right and left placesof the base stand 10. In that case, it detects whether there is theslide base portion 20. Then, the number of times up to which it has beendetected is counted, so that the number of the reciprocating motions canbe counted up. Or, a position sensor which detects the swaying of therod 41, or the like, may also be provided at a suitable place of theswaying-arm support portion 42. In that case, it counts up the number ofits sways.

(5) A pressure sensor may also be fixed on the foot-stand portion 30,inside of the foot-stand portion 30, or on its bottom surface, so thatit can detect a load which is applied on the foot-stand portion 30.Thereby, it detects whether a player stays on the foot-stand portion 30.

(6) The monitor 72 may also be united with the base stand 10, notseparated from it. That facilitates the wiring of a signal wire with thecontroller 80.

(7) Instead of a ring with the transponder TP, or the like, a card inwhich personal information is recorded, or the like, may also be used.In that case, a card-information reading portion (or a card insertionportion) is provided in the controller 80, or the like. By insertingsuch a card into this, or by another such operation, the authenticationof an individual is conducted.

(8) The following variation may also be adopted. A publicly-knowntouch-panel sensor which is formed by a transparent body is affixed onthe surface of the monitor 72. Inside of the control section 100, thereare provided: a means for correlating the coordinates of the position onthe screen and the position of the touch-panel sensor, and a means forspecifying each button which is displayed on the screen, using thedetection coordinates of the touch position. This makes it easy tooperate such a controller.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The training apparatus according to the present invention can be used totake a sliding exercise and a twisting exercise together without makinga stamping motion or another such motion, and train your body trunkeffectively.

1. Training apparatus, comprising: a base stand which has a guide rail that extends in the right-and-left directions; a slide base portion which slidably coupled to the guide rail; a foot stand which is rotatably provided over the slide base portion so as to rotate relative to the base portion; a connector which engages a substantially-middle part of the base stand in the right-and-left directions and the foot stand, so that the sliding position of the base portion and the turning angle of the foot stand can be correlated, said connector including: a swaying arm being formed in a rod, one end of said swaying arm being rotatable connected to the foot stand; a swaying arm support portion provided on the base stand, said swaying arm supported portion including a support member provided on the base stand, said swaying arm support portion further including a turning member which is rotatably provided on said support member, said turning member being provided with a pair of rollers freely rotatable about a vertical axis in such a manner that the other end of said swaying arm is held in between said pair of rollers so that said swaying arm slides therethrough along with movement of the slide base portion along the guide rail; and a force giving device which gives the slide base portion a biasing force by which the slide base portion moves toward a substantially-middle position of the base stand in the right-and-left directions.
 2. The training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide rail includes two guide rails provided side by side, and the slide base portion holds, at both ends thereof in the front-and-rear directions, each guide rail.
 3. The training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slide base portion has a pair of rollers which holds the guide rail between the rollers in the up-and-down directions.
 4. The training apparatus according to claim 3, wherein among the pair of rollers which holds the guide rail between the rollers in the up-and-down directions, the axis of the upper roller is horizontal, and the axis of the lower roller is inclined.
 5. The training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the force giving device includes a spring which is stretched between the slide base portion and the base stand.
 6. The training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base stand has a handrail portion.
 7. The training apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a monitor which displays an image for a training guide.
 8. The training apparatus according to claim 7, comprising a controller which gives an instruction to switch the training-guide image that is displayed in the monitor.
 9. The training apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the controller is disposed in the handrail portion.
 10. The training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said foot stand is in a form of a plate and said swaying arm is in a form of a single rod; and said foot stand is operatively connected to said turning member via said single rod.
 11. The training apparatus according to claim 10, wherein: said foot stand is formed with a downwardly projecting member on a bottom side thereof; said rod is rigidly connected to a side of the downwardly projecting member; and an upwardly projecting member is formed on the slide base portion and said upwardly projecting member is rotatably engaged with the downwardly projecting member.
 12. The training apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said downwardly projecting member includes a hollow cylinder member and said upwardly projecting member includes a circular column member such that said column member is pivotably fit into the hollow cylinder member. 